HISTORY
In 2005, the president of the University declared the entire University system a “rape-free zone.” This was spurred on by a series of on-campus rapes that outraged the public; one involving a freshman from a small town accepted to the University to further her education who was abducted, thrown into a van, and brutally assaulted by several young men wearing masks.

The community spoke out against these crimes and against the inadequate sexual assault policies and practices formerly utilized by the University. This movement resulted in the “Rape-Free Zone” Coalition and declaration—a community led alliance with members of the University of Hawaii Faculty, Staff and Administration to address the growing problem of under-reporting and ineffective handling of sex-assaults on campus.

PRESENT-DAY PROBLEMS
Today, we urge the University continue its promise to its students in its original declaration of the system-wide “Rape-Free Zone.” This promise includes the implementation of improvements regarding Housing, Security, Education and First-Responder Training, and University Policy.
WHAT IS A RAPE-FREE ZONE?
A Rape-Free Zone (RFZ) is an area such as a campus, community, city, state or country which promote anti-sexism and anti-violence. Sexual violence is never tolerated and penalties are severe. RFZs also reflect gender equality in all levels of its government. Women serve in every level of executive administration and government.

A RFZ is one where rape, sexual assault and the subordination of women is a violence of the past. In our hearts and souls we love and respect one another so deeply that violence is unacceptable.

A RFZ is one where women’s rights are represented in the law and in the culture of our society from University policy to the criminal and civil laws of the State of Hawai‘i. We recognize the male- centered hidden norm in our public policy and we collectively reform and maintain a structural change to ensure the advancement of women’s rights and equality.

GOALS

SHORT TERM - Among some goals of this petition to urge the University to perpetuate its RFZ promise to its student body are:

Housing Improvements:

Improved fail-safe door locking system to prevent the propping-open of doors in residence halls. (may be another electronic alternative)

24-hour security cameras at all dorm entrances, elevators and stairwells and parking structures with a minimum 2 month tape longevity policy for re-use. i.e. surveillance tapes may not be erased under any circumstances for a period of 2 calendar months.

Placing guard shacks in all parking structures.

Security:

Live first-responder training for security personnel.

Night foot-patrols between the hours of 8:00pm -5:00am.

Night security patrols at all campus parking structures on all levels.

Placing emergency call stations in all levels of all parking structures.

Quarterly checking of emergency call stations.

Longer shuttle hours to exceed the latest operating library hours on campus to stop daily at 12am and during finals 24-hours.

If a sexual assault is reported to campus security, the Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC) must be contacted via its 24-hour hotline.

Improve type of lights so areas lit are more visible. (not orange/yellow, dim).

Improved lighting on both upper and lower campus in dark area, landscaped areas, facilities, and in between buildings (see Attachment A - campus map for marked locations).

Between Hale Noelani and Hale Aloha Lokalani Tower

Walk between Sakamaki Hall and the Law Library

Along East-West Road between Health Services and the Guard Entrance Shack

Along Legacy Path by the Amphitheatre

Between Campus Center and Bachman Annex 2

Between Hawaii Hall and Dean Hall along Campus Road

Between Hamilton Library and Paradise Palms Café from Maile Way to McCarthy Mall

Around the Center for Korean Studies

Between Kennedy Theater and Henke Hall

Between Lincoln Hall and Jefferson Hall

Education/Training:

Violence Prevention Education for all students living on-campus and off-campus during Orientation;

Live Violence Prevention Education and Training for incoming Faculty and Administration and Regular Live Annual Training every three years for tenured and tenure-track faculty.

Apply for funding for publicity campaign to focus on violence prevention focused toward men and bystander response.

University Publicity:

A public declaration from the Chancellor every semester will be emailed to students, faculty and staff. This email will reaffirm the UH System as a Rape-Free Zone with a no tolerance to sexual-violence policy.

Mandatory resource RFZ posters in all dorms in all male and female bathrooms.

Crime-alerts sent via email to all student, faculty, and administration body.

Accountability policy for Kaleo and KTUH for obscenity rules and guidelines for sexism.

LONG-TERM GOALS to be implemented within the next four years“No Tolerance to Sexual Violence” University Sex-Assault Policy:

Add the requirement to notify victims and alleged perpetrators of the victim’s rights and resources covered by this policy upon response to report.

All students should be informed of whom they can contact for help, and the correct procedures for filing a claim and/or receiving treatment.

Advocate from SATC must be appointed during the process for the victim and included within the policy.

Advisory Council (RFZ)

The creation of a RFZ Advisory Council to directly communicate with the president. This Council shall be comprised of no more than 40% UH faculty, staff, administration or other UH community member. The other 30% must be UH students and 30% of the Council shall be members of the general public with no professional relationships with the Board of Regents, UH Benefactors, Legislators, or other political entity or person that may create a conflict of interest. The RFZ Advisory Council shall be chosen by the RFZ Coalition and formally acknowledged by the University of Hawaii. At least 75% percent of this Coalition must be female.

The Advisory Council will meet regularly (monthly or bi-monthly) to review crime, assault and any issues presented to the Council for review.

Program Focus

Annual Festival
(GiRL FeST!)

The 8th GiRL FeST Hawaii took place from February 16-20, 2012. Thank you for attending!

Human-Trafficking

Rape-Free Zone Initiatives

Generally, the highest rates of sexual-violence on campuses occur between the first day of school and Thanksgiving break. College campuses often do not adequately address sexual-violence. Be informed and prepared.

What is GiRL FeST?

GiRL FeST Hawaii is an all-volunteer run violence prevention organization of the Safe Zone Foundation 501(c)3. Our mission is to prevent violence against women and girls through education and art. Our goal is to change peer culture in order to prevent increasing violence against women and girls through education, entertainment and positive representation of women.